'Good on you': Ben Stokes fires back after England and New Zealand cop slow over-rate penalties

England captain Ben Stokes has taken aim at the ICC after his side and New Zealand were both sanctioned for slow over-rate on the first Test.

The visitors produced an emphatic eight-wicket win at Hagley Oval with more than a day to spare, getting the series off to a strong start.

However, due to both teams finishing three overs short of the target - even after time allowances were taken into consideration - the ICC have penalised them.

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Players will be fined 15 per cent of their match fees for the Christchurch fixture, while the Black Caps and England will also be docked three World Test Championship points.

In response, Stokes took to social media to take a shot at the sport's governing body.

"Good on you ICC," Stokes said via Instagram, accompanied by three shrugging emojis.

"Finished the game with 10 hours of play still left."

His frustration comes less than a week after questioning the WTC format, describing the standings as "utterly confusing" as his side remain well off the pace.

"In all honesty - it is a bit confusing," Stokes told reporters in New Zealand.

"It's one of those where, you know we don't really look at it. I don't look at it.

"It's one of those where, over a long period of time, if you're playing really good cricket, you're getting results that you want, you'll end up finding yourself there in the final. For me and this team, it's about taking it game by game, series by series.

"Can't remember [if I have] ever given any real time to be specifically thinking about the World Test Championship ... [it is] utterly confusing."

England are currently sixth in the standings and New Zealand sit one spot ahead.

The second Test kicks off on Friday morning in Wellington.